Vibrating Pipe Locator

ABSTRACT

A device for identifying the location of pipe is disclosed. The device includes a motor shaft attached at one end to a motor and attached at the other end to a weight; a flexible push rod attached at one end to a tip assembly and attached at the other end to a reel; a power source for powering the motor; and a tip assembly. The tip assembly is threaded into one end of a pipe. As the motor turns the motor shaft, the motor shaft causes the weight to oscillate. As the weight oscillates it causes the tip assembly to vibrate. As the tip assembly vibrates it emits auditory sounds.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application U.S.62/830,600.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to devices for locating pipes, and moreparticularly to auditory locating devices.

BACKGROUND

In constructing new homes, remodeling homes, and even in commercialconstruction, unexposed electrical, plumbing, and HVAC pipes are locatedwithin the construction. The unexposed piping can be a challenge to workwith because it is not always known what pipes are connected and wherepipe lead. Tracing a pipe saves from having to excavate flooring, openceilings and walls or crawl around small, inconvenient access areas.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the disclosure provides a device for identifying thelocation of pipe. The device includes a motor shaft attached at one endto a motor and attached at the other end to a weight; a flexible pushrod attached at one end to a tip assembly and attached at the other endto a reel; a power source for powering the motor; and a tip assembly.The tip assembly is threaded into one end of a pipe. As the motor turnsthe motor shaft, the motor shaft causes the weight to oscillate. As theweight oscillates it causes the tip assembly to vibrate. As the tipassembly vibrates it emits auditory sounds.

In a second aspect the disclosure provides a method for identifying thelocation of pipe. The method includes providing a motor shaft attachedat one end to a motor and attached at the other end to a weight;providing a flexible push rod attached at one end to a tip assembly andattached at the other end to a reel; providing a power source forpowering the motor; and providing a tip assembly. The tip assembly isthreaded into one end of a pipe. As the motor turns the motor shaft, themotor shaft causes the weight to oscillate. As the weight oscillates itcauses the tip assembly to vibrate. As the tip assembly vibrates itemits auditory sounds.

Further aspects and embodiments are provided in the foregoing drawings,detailed description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are provided to illustrate certain embodiments describedherein. The drawings are merely illustrative and are not intended tolimit the scope of claimed inventions and are not intended to show everypotential feature or embodiment of the claimed inventions. The drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale; in some instances, certain elementsof the drawing may be enlarged with respect to other elements of thedrawing for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of the tip assembly of the pipelocator.

FIG. 2 is a view of an embodiment with an extendable tip assembly.

FIG. 3 is an internal view of the tip assembly.

FIG. 4 is an internal view of the housing of the device.

FIG. 5 is a view of the device being threaded through a pipe to discoverwhere it connects to other pipes.

FIG. 6 is a view of the tip vibrating to produce audible sounds.

FIG. 7 is a view of the device vibrating to produce audible sounds toidentify the pipes that connect.

FIG. 8 is a view of the device vibrating to identify the pipes thatconnect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description recites various aspects and embodiments of theinventions disclosed herein. No particular invention is intended todefine the scope of the invention. Rather, the embodiments providenon-limiting examples of various compositions, and methods that areincluded within the scope of the claimed inventions. The description isto be read from the perspective of one of ordinary skill in the art.Therefore, information that is well known to the ordinarily skilledartisan is not necessarily included.

Definitions

The following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated below,unless otherwise provided herein. This disclosure may employ other termsand phrases not expressly defined herein. Such other terms and phrasesshall have the meanings they would possess within the context of thisdisclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some instances, aterm or phrase may be defined in the singular or plural. In suchinstances, it is understood that any term in the singular may includeits plural counterpart and vice versa, unless expressly indicated to thecontrary.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example,reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well astwo or more substituents, and the like.

As used herein, “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including”are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more generalsubject matter. Unless otherwise expressly expressly indicated, suchexamples are provided only to aid in understanding embodimentsillustrated in the present disclosure and are not meant to be limitingin any fashion. Nor do these phrases indicate any kind of preference forthe disclosed embodiment.

As used herein “pipe” is meant to refer to electrical, plumbing, andHVAC pipes. Each of the connections are hollow tubes through which thewater, sewage, air, or wires will pass.

Tracing and locating unexposed electrical, plumbing, and HVAC piping isneeded during new construction, remodeling and repairs of homes andcommercial buildings. Tracing a pipe saves from having to excavateflooring, open ceilings and walls or crawl around small, inconvenientaccess areas. Existing pipe locators use frequency receivers to locateelectronic frequencies produced from frequency emitters, such as a 512MHz sonde, inserted into a pipe on a push rod or by energizing entiremetallic pipe line sets, or tracing wires ran along non-metallic pipes,with a similar electrical frequency. Another method of tracing pipes ispneumatic “thumping,” where loud pressures and sounds are injected intoan open end of a pipe and then locating with a stethoscope where soundis hopefully heard.

Energizing metallic pipes or tracing wires will produce an electricalfrequency on any and all metallic objects that come in contact with thedesired pipe and can be indistinguishable by the operator's receivingequipment. The operator could be following a nuisance signal (anundesired signal picked up by a frequency receiver) and could incurheavy costs if mistakenly opening a wall or excavating the wrong area.Locating a pipe with a sonde is limited by the size of the sonde, whichis generally large. Both electronic frequency locators are limited tothe type of material they are passing through. For example, a low MHzfrequency emitter will not travel, and cannot be located, throughmetallic or dense materials, such as steel framing, copper pipe, or evenconcrete. These popular signal producers and signal receivers arecomplex and require hours of training and experience to use reliably.These methods bring high equipment costs, training, and unreliabilitydue to nuisance frequencies from common nearby electrical signals fromTV cables, internet, power lines, and low-voltage control wires.Pneumatic thumping is not popular because the pressures can damage thepiping and locating the noise within a pipe is difficult due tomaterials around the pipe being located.

This invention is broken into two parts: the push rod and the vibratingmotor head. The push rod is a narrow semi-rigid material that can beformed long and thin, such as fiberglass or nylon. The push rod is themechanism used to push the vibrating motor into and through a pipe,cavity or conduit and also to retrieve it by pulling it back out. Thegoal is to guide the attached vibrating motor to a location where it canbe energized and found. It is necessary that the push rod be rigidenough to not fold over itself while being fed into the pipe and yetflexible to go around bends like an electrician's fish tape. Smalldiameter (around 7 mm) push rods can be stored within a coiled orplastic reel, similar to an electrician's fish tape. Larger push rodscan be stored on reels used for sewer cleaning rods and cameras.

The vibrating motor head is created by attaching an offset weight to anelectrical motor shaft and placing it within an enclosure. The vibratingmotor head is attached to the push rod by any means, including but notlimited to; tape, glue, shrink wrap, crimping of a hole within thevibrating motor head with the push rod inserted into, or an adapterdesigned to grasp both the motor and the push rod. A vibrating motorhead can be made by one of many methods but an offset weight is the mostcommon vibrating motor type which is an electric motor with an unevenweight connected to the shaft that rotates while the motor is running.An example of a weight's shape can be a circular sector with a 90°quadrant center angle with enough thickness to create a mass to causethe whole electric motor to move as the shaft rotates around the innerarc, where attached to the shaft.

The electric motor can be powered by internal batteries or power ranwithin or parallel to the push rod. The vibrating motor and allelectronics will be enclosed with a waterproof and durable material suchas stainless steel or plastic. The motor enclosing will completelysurround the electronics and will extend beyond to allow full-motion ofthe rotating offset weight. If the vibrating motor is mounted at the endof the push rod then it will have a dome shape to allow forcible pushingof the push rod to guide around turns. If the vibrating motor is mountedelsewhere on the push rod then the end of the push rod will require arounded shape to allow similar movement through turns and obstacles.

When the motor is energized the shaft will rotate quickly and cause theweight to oscillate and shake as the shaft rotates. The oscillationcreates an audible sound. This audible sound is generally characterizedas a humming sound. Additionally, the oscillation creates a chatteringwhere the vibrating motor housing taps against the walls of the pipe.After pushing the vibrating motor head into the pipe, while energized,the operator can walk the property and listen for humming or ringingfrom the vibrating motor head. When the general area is found, theoperator can place his hand around where the noise seems to come from tofurther narrow down where the vibrating motor head is located. The soundand vibrations grow louder as the operator gets closer to the vibratingmotor head. The operator can also use listening equipment such as astethoscope or other noise amplifier if needed.

Now referring to FIG. 1 which shows one embodiment of the vibrating pipelocator. When remodeling a home or updating the plumbing in a home it ispreferable to find the pipes and map their locations, than to tear outwalls, floors, and ceilings. The vibrating pipe locator assists infinding where pipes run and mapping their locations and connections. Thepipe locator is pushed through an exposed end of a pipe to identifywhere the pipe connects. The vibrating head assembly 101 is attached ormounted to the end of the push rod 103. In some embodiments, thevibrating head assembly 101 has a tapered shape to enable it to passthrough the pipes and turn corners where necessary. The push rod 103 isconstructed of a semi-rigid material, which is strong and stiff enoughto push, without folding over or coiling up, and yet flexible enough toturn corners and move around bends in the pipes. In one embodiment, thepush rod is made of nylon. In another embodiment, the push rod is madeof fiberglass. In yet another embodiment, the push rod is made of steel.In embodiments where the push rod is constructed of steel it ispreferably stainless steel.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which shows another embodiment of a vibratingpipe locator. The tip assembly 205 of the push rod is rounded or domeshaped to allow easier pushing of the pipe locator through the pipe. Thetip can extend from the electric motor housing 209. The extended portionhas an inner push rod 207 which fits inside the outer push rod sleeve211. The electric motor housing 209 holds the electric motor. In theembodiment, with the extendable portion the electric motor housing holdsthe electric motor. The inner push rod 207, electric motor housing 209,and tip assembly are all constructed so as to be waterproof. It isespecially important for the electric motor to function in manyenvironments, including environments that would ordinarily bedetrimental to the functioning of the motor. Thus it is important forthe motor to be kept from water and other contaminants.

Referring to FIG. 3 which shows an embodiment depicting one method forcausing the tip to vibrate. The tip enclosure 312 is rounded to assistthe tip in turning corners and going around bends as the push rod 317pushes the tip through the pipe. Within the tip 312 is a weight 313. Theweight is attached to the motor shaft 314. The motor shaft attaches tothe electric motor 315. The motor housing and tip are attached to theend of the push rod. When the electric motor is turned on the motorshaft turns. As the motor shaft turns, the weight attached to the end ofthe shaft oscillates. The oscillation of the weight causes an audiblehumming sound. Additionally, the oscillation of the weight causes thetip to hit the sides of the pipe and create audible sounds as well asphysical vibrations. The audible sounds can be heard by the user and thevibrations can be felt by the user and assist in finding the location ofthe pipe. Additionally, the vibration can be felt by the user. Thisgives the user two methods for determining the location of the pipe. Thetip enclosure is constructed of waterproof materials and constructed soas to be waterproof. In some embodiments, the tip enclosure is made ofsteel, preferably stainless steel. In other embodiments, the tipenclosure is constructed of plastic.

Referring to FIG. 4 which shows an interior view of a vibrating pipelocator device. A housing 425 holds a mechanism for winding up andstoring the push rod 423. A handle 427 is attached to and integratedinto the housing. The housing protects and stores the push rod, whichrequires the housing to be constructed of a material that will protectthe push rod. A tip housing 421 is attached to the push rod. As thedevice is to be carried to locations for use, it is preferable that thedevice be lightweight. In some embodiments, the housing is constructedof plastic. In other embodiments the housing is constructed of metal.Lightweight metals such as aluminum and aluminum alloys are thepreferred metals. In other embodiments, steel, stainless steel, ortitanium is used.

The device utilizes a powered motor, and as such needs a method forpowering the motor. In the preferred embodiment batteries are used topower the electric motor. In many embodiments, a battery pack 429 islocated in the center of the housing 425. In some embodiments, thebattery is located in the tip housing. In embodiments that includes amotor housing, the batteries are located in the motor housing. Inalternative embodiments, the power is supplied through an electric cord.

Additionally, within the housing is a mechanism for spooling the pushrod 423 and unspooling the push rod 423. In some embodiments, thespooling mechanism is a manual spooling mechanism. The manual mechanismincludes a handle for turning the winding and unwinding mechanism. Insome embodiments, the winding and unwinding mechanism is spring loaded,which allows the push rod to be wound up by pulling on the push rod. Inyet, other embodiments the winding and unwinding mechanism is motorized.

Referring now to FIG. 5 which is an example of the device being used tolocate the end of a pipe. The tip assembly is fed through pipe 537. Thepush rod 535 feeds the tip assembly through the pipes. It is not knownby the user which pipe connects to the feed pipe 537, the pipe 537 couldconnect to pipe 539 or could connect to pipe 533. As the push rod pushesthe tip assembly through the pipe it comes out through pipe 533. Thisindicates that pipe 533 is connected to the pipe 537.

Referring to FIG. 6 which is a view of the pipe locator vibrating in thepipe to identify the pipes that connect together. The tip assembly 647is threaded through pipe 643. Once the tip assembly 647 is threaded intothe pipe 643 the electric motor is activated and the tip begins tovibrate. As the tip vibrates it creates a humming sound. In addition asthe tip impacts the walls of the pipe it causes additional audiblesounds 649. Both the sound generated from the tip itself and the soundsof the tip impacting the walls of the pipe alert the user to thelocation of the tip and therefore the location of the connecting pipe641. While FIG. 6 shows a single pipe, multiple pipes are typicallylocated within the area.

Referring to FIG. 7 which is an example of the vibrating pipe locatoridentifying the pipes that connect together. The tip 752 has beeninserted into pipe end 757 and threaded through pipe 755. The pipe 755is concealed in the floors and walls. The pipe locator assists the userin finding the end of the pipe. As the push rod 753 is threaded throughthe pipe, the motor is turned on and the tip 752 vibrates which impactsthe sides of the pipe and creates audible sounds 759. In addition toaudible sounds the impacts to the sides of the pipe create vibrationswhich can be felt to assist in identifying the location of the pipe inthe floor or walls.

Referring to FIG. 8 which is a view of the vibrating pipe locator beingused to identify pipe connections. The push rod 865 pushed the tip 863through the pipe 867. As the tip 863 is threaded through pipe 867 themotor is turned on and the tip vibrates. The vibrating tip comes incontact with the sides of pipe 867. The vibration of the tip 863 againstthe sides of pipe 867 causes the pipe to emit audible sounds 869 and871. The vibrations of the tip 863 are also transferred throughout thepipe. A user can feel the vibrations in the pipe. The vibrations can befelt though the handles or through the pipes themselves.

All patents and published patent applications referred to herein areincorporated herein by reference. However, any reference to priorpublication is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement,admission, or suggestion that the prior publication, or any informationderived from it is part of the general common knowledge in the field ofendeavor to which this specification relates. The invention has beendescribed with reference to various specific and preferred embodimentsand techniques. Nevertheless, it is understood that many variations andmodifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for identifying the location of pipecomprising: a motor shaft attached at one end to a motor and attached atthe other end to a weight; a power source for powering the motor; and atip assembly; wherein the tip assembly is threaded into one end of apipe; wherein as the motor turns the motor shaft, the motor shaft causesthe weight to oscillate; wherein as the weight oscillates it causes thetip assembly to vibrate; and wherein as the tip assembly vibrates itemit auditory sounds.
 2. The invention of claim 1, further comprising aflexible push rod attached at one end to the tip assembly and attachedat the other end to a reel.
 3. The invention of claim 2, furthercomprising a motor housing assembly.
 4. The invention of claim 3,wherein the tip assembly extends from the motor housing assembly.
 5. Theinvention of claim 2, wherein the push rod is unwound and wound by apowered reel.
 6. The invention of claim 1, wherein the power source isbatteries.
 7. The invention of claim 1, wherein the batteries arelocated in the tip assembly.
 8. The invention of claim 1, wherein as thetip assembly vibrates it impacts the sides of the pipe and causes thepipe to vibrate and to emit auditory sounds
 9. The invention of claim 1,wherein the tip assembly is waterproof.
 10. The invention of claim 1,wherein the device includes a power inlet to receive power for themotor.
 11. A method for identifying the location of pipe comprising:providing a motor shaft attached at one end to a motor and attached atthe other end to a weight; providing a flexible push rod attached at oneend to a tip assembly and attached at the other end to a reel; providinga power source for powering the motor; and providing a tip assembly;wherein the tip assembly is threaded into one end of a pipe; wherein asthe motor turns the motor shaft, the motor shaft causes the weight tooscillate; wherein as the weight oscillates it causes the tip assemblyto vibrate; and wherein as the tip assembly vibrates it impacts thesides of the pipe and causes the pipe to vibrate and to emit auditorysounds.
 12. The invention of claim 11, further comprising a flexiblepush rod attached at one end to the tip assembly and attached at theother end to a reel.
 13. The invention of claim 12, further comprising amotor housing assembly.
 14. The invention of claim 13, wherein the tipassembly extends from the motor housing assembly.
 15. The invention ofclaim 13, wherein the push rod is unwound and wound by a powered reel.16. The invention of claim 11, wherein the power source is batteries.17. The invention of claim 11, wherein the batteries are located in thetip assembly.
 18. The invention of claim 11, wherein as the tip assemblyvibrates it impacts the sides of the pipe and causes the pipe to vibrateand to emit auditory sounds
 19. The invention of claim 11, wherein thetip assembly is waterproof.
 20. The invention of claim 11, wherein thedevice includes a power inlet to receive power for the motor.